Dear Parents and Youth,
I'm really excited to see how God will work this school year. It feels like time is going faster as I get older...but let's not dawdle on that. It pretty noticeable that we're going to have fewer events than a typical youth group. Our primary focus will be on a few things like structure that will help with longevity and healthy future growth, Life Groups that will promote deep and vibrant relationships, and to establish our youth identity where students can take ownership and set a fire in their hearts for a vision that they give their lives to, at least in their students years. Pray for me, our leaders, and students!
Although it would be ideal to focus on a 100 things, but that would actually decrease our effectiveness greatly as a team and ministry. We hope that setting some goals that we can accomplish within this school year will help us be focused and spend our time and energy wisely. In our latest PTA meeting I shared how parents can be more involved with the youth other than providing food, although that is a great way to serve and love our students. Here is a reminder of the things you can do to partner with me:
Please visit the events page often so that you are aware of what is going on in the lives of your children. A few key programs and events coming up this month are the following:
For His Kingdom,
p.joel
I'm really excited to see how God will work this school year. It feels like time is going faster as I get older...but let's not dawdle on that. It pretty noticeable that we're going to have fewer events than a typical youth group. Our primary focus will be on a few things like structure that will help with longevity and healthy future growth, Life Groups that will promote deep and vibrant relationships, and to establish our youth identity where students can take ownership and set a fire in their hearts for a vision that they give their lives to, at least in their students years. Pray for me, our leaders, and students!
Although it would be ideal to focus on a 100 things, but that would actually decrease our effectiveness greatly as a team and ministry. We hope that setting some goals that we can accomplish within this school year will help us be focused and spend our time and energy wisely. In our latest PTA meeting I shared how parents can be more involved with the youth other than providing food, although that is a great way to serve and love our students. Here is a reminder of the things you can do to partner with me:
- Provide Rides (most students don't drive so it's important that students be consistent in their attendance to our programs and events if they are to connect with the youth and build healthy relationships.
- Provide food (there is nothing more empowering to youth leaders when parents say, "I'll take care of the food, please spend your time and energy on investing in our students." What an encouraging statement!
- Pray (I believe that every Wednesday there is a prayer gathering at church. I'm not saying you need to go there, but are you praying for your students, the leadership, and your pastors?)
- Promote youth vision (reinforce the identity and mission of our youth group)
- Promote KM support (most of you have incredible influence in the KM, will you leverage it to help us be more effective as a youth ministry? For example, will you support us when we make efforts to establish new ideas or ending bad ones?)
- Partner through the home (get involved and take an active role in the life of your student's spiritual life and journey. Ask them what they are learning these days, through me (pastor Joel), through their Life Group leaders, and their T.A.W.G.s. (Time Alone With God)
Please visit the events page often so that you are aware of what is going on in the lives of your children. A few key programs and events coming up this month are the following:
- Baptism and Confirmation class. Begins September 8 until the last Sunday of the month where we will have a celebration ceremony.
- Send Your Reign. This is a youth rally on September 28, Saturday. Please help us with rides. For more info on the event please go to sendyourreign.com
For His Kingdom,
p.joel